Rays Sign Will Rhymes, Three Others to Minor-League Deals

The Tampa Bay Rays have signed second baseman Will Rhymes to a minor-league deal. The 28-year-old, who played with the Detroit Tigers last year, gets an invite to Spring Training, where he'll compete for a bench role.

Rhymes has seen limited time in the majors in his career thus far, and despite a solid showing in 54 games in 2010 (106 OPS+), he didn't do much with the Tigers this season. In 29 games, he posted a .235/.323/.271 slash line. At Triple-A Toledo, where he spent most of his time in 2011, he hit .306/.377/.390 with a BB/K ratio of exactly one.

In addition to Rhymes, the Rays handed out minor-league contracts with Spring Training invites to outfielder Jesus Feliciano, right-handed reliever Romulo Sanchez, and right-handed starter Matt Torra.

• Former Tigers second baseman Will Rhymes among four invited to Tampa Bay Rays spring training camp - Tampa Bay Times
  "Rhymes, 28, signed a minor-league contract with the Rays that includes an invitation to spring training and the chance to compete, most likely with Elliot Johnson, for a bench job."

• Twitter / @eddymk: Rays signed OF Jesus Felic ...
  "Rays signed OF Jesus Feliciano, 2B Will Rhymes & RHRP Romulo Sanchez (back from Japan) to minors deals."